Cooperating container



Nov. 28, 1961 c. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 12, 1953 INVENTOR. CARL E. Fbss A TTORNEKS'.

' Nov. 28, 1961 c. E. Foss COOPERATING CONTAINER Original Filed Aug. 12, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 83 i CARL E. Foss f ATT0RN Nov. 28, 1961 c. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 12, 1953 //VVEN7'OR: CARL E. Foss 7w r Mild Nov. 28, 1961 c. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 12. 1953 nvmvrm CARL E Foss BY I. r?

' ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 28, 1961 c. E. Foss COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Aug. 12, 1953.

INVENTOR. CARL f. Foss ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 28, 1961 c. E. FOSS COOPERATING CONTAINER 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed Aug. 12, 1953 i L 3 I 7 fim 1 I1 I i j 9 0 4 3 M m m M 5 m 8 m LM P 7 P/ M 3 5 M I 67% H n. I i i 0 Z w u M w w INVENTOR. CARL E. Foss III ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,010,598 COOPERATING CONTAEN'ER Carl E. F ass, 72 Elm Road, Princeton, NJ. Original application Aug. 12, 1953, Ser. No. 373,733. Divided and this application Nov. 19, 1958, Ser. No.

11 Claims. (Cl. 220-4) This invention relates to containers for liquids, powders and the like and more particularly to containers adapted to be connected one to the other in a manner that will permit the content of one or more cans to be intermixed as for instance difierent colored paints, a liquid and a powder and other similar materials.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious here from, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

For the purposes of this application, the invention will be described in connection with its use for paints to facilitate both storage and subsequent mixing of two or more cans thereof before use. While the invention is particularly applicable to paints and varnishes it will become apparent that it is equally useful for a wide variety of materials that are usually stored in separate containers and mixed just before use. Examples of such other applications may be photographic chemicals, electrolytes for batteries and the like. The invention provides a simple inexpensive container structure that may be made of metal or other rigid material and embodies a structure whereby two or more containers may be coupled together in a manner permitting intermixture of the contents without the danger of spilling the contents of either can.

Intermixture of the contents of separate containers is commonly practiced by the paint dealer but prior structures and procedures employing conventional or stock containers either limit the available variety of colors, require extra empty containers or become wasteful of space and otherwise impractical as attempts are made to increase the number of available colors.

For example, paint inter-mixture procedures now in common use are usually based on the premise of adding concentrated colorants to a white or other colored base. These additions can only be made in relatively small percentages if the bases are packaged according to proper practice. Only up to about 4% ullage exists in a container properly filled. The most concentrated colorants presently available do make a wide range of colors possible by admixture of up to 4% toner to a base, but an equally great number of commercially important colors are beyond the scope of this admixture method.

If a white base or other base container is short filled to provide greater ullage, in amounts increasing up to 50%, the additive colorants must increase accordingly in volume and no longer have the convenient feature of small proportional size. Moreover, this kind of attempt to increase the color range available by admixture is wasteful of storage space and also wasteful of the containers for the paint used to equal to ullage in the princi pal container and subsequently mixed therein. Furthermore as the ullage in a paint container increases beyond the small and proper percentage certain deleterious chem ical and/or physical action often takes place and is directly attributable to the unfilled space.

Indeed, additions up to 50% to a paint are often necessary regardless of concentration of toners or the bases to adequately cover the color requirements of the consumer ice and since this cannot be achieved by the small percentage additive method or is impractical, inconvenient or wasteful of storage space or containers by the large percentage additive method to the large ullage container, one of the objects of this invention will become evident.

By use of this invention, two or more stock fractions totalling to the volume of paint required by a consumer are quickly combined into a composite container to produce the desired color within the high order color producing potential of this procedure. Since each stock fraction has many possible combination uses in the conenient form of these novel containers, many beneficial ends can be attained.

Prior structure 'mvolving compartmented cans were generallylimited to specific purpose applications or involved expensive and complicated designs too costly for general use in packaging and sale of paints and similar products. Moreover none of these structures, to my knowledge, provide any satisfactory means for efiecting thorough intermixture of the contents of several cans or containers prior to use or the attainment of these ends through the simple, efiective and inexpensive structures in accordance with this invention.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of containers that may be hermetically sealed and which may be simply and easily coupled with another can whereby the two or more containers are automatically opened one into the others. in addition an effective seal is provided between the cans so that the mixed resulting produce can be stored for extended periods.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of containers for paints and other materials that may be opened or coupled together for intermixing of the contents without the need for special tools or instruments of any kind. The structure is not only simple and inexpensive but also substantially foolproof so that inexperienced persons can couple cans one to the other with no danger of upsetting the contents. Still another object of the invention resides in the use of transparent or translucent diaphragms for sealing the containers so that the contents of the cans being mixed can be readily inspected to determine whether or not a thorough blending has been attained.

The above and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and illustrating several embodiments of the invention and which together with the description will serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded cross sectional view in side elevation of one embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 showing the assembly of several of the elements thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation in partial section of two containers as shown in FIGURE I joined together to effect mixture of the contents thereof;

FlGURE 4 is an exploded cross sectional view of another enrbodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 4 showing the assembly of several of the elements thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation in partial section of two containers as shown in FIGURE 4 joined to efl'ect mixture of the contents thereof;

FIGURE 7 is a modified form of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate further modifications of the embodiment of the invention of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 10 is a modified form of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6;

FIGURE 11 is'a cross sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE l2 is a cross sectional view of a coupler for containers of the form shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation in partial section showing the attachment of two containers or" FIGURE 11 by means of the cupler of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a modification of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 15 is a cross sectional view of still another modification of the invention;

FIGURE 16 is a cross sectional view of a coupler for two containers as illustrated in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a side elevation in section of two containers of the form shown in FIGURE 15 formed by the coupler shown in FIGURE 16; and.

FIGURES 18 to 22 are partial side elevations in cross section of still other embodiments of the invention.

The containers in accordance with the invention provide highly eifective, inexpensive structure, that facilitate the coupling or connection of two or more cans or containers in a way that will open each of the ioined containers one into the other so that the contents of both cans can be intermixed. This is accomplished by means whereby the contents of each container are not actually mixed until the cans are coupledthus avoiding the danger of spilling the contents of either can. Moreover with this invention two containers can be coupled without exposing the contents of either to the atmosphere before they are actually intermixed.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG- URES 1 to 3 of the drawings. FIGURE 1 is an exploded nview of certain elements of the conainer, FIGURE 2 shows the assembly of the exploded elements of FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 3 shows the joinder of two containers. The body 19 of the container as shown in these figures comprises a cylindrical body part 11 that may be of any desired length and diameter, a threaded male part or top -12 and a threaded female bottom part 13. The top and bottom parts 12 and 113 are joined to the body 1 1 by folded lap joints 14 and 15 that are preferably sealed by solder, cement or other similar material if the container is intended for holding liquids such as paints, varnishes and the like. ese lap joints are shown in greatly enlarged form for the purposes of this application and While they form a study and secure joinder of the elements, it

is to be understood that other types of joints may also be used with equal efl ectiveness. In this embodiment of the invention, while the top and bottom parts 12 and 15 are of course circular, the body 1 1 may be of most any shape that is, circular, oval, rectangular, etc. as may be desired. The female bottom part 13 extends within the body 1 1 and is terminated in a flat inwardly formed flange 16 having a depending skirt 17 formed on its inner periphery. This skirt '17 is formed with V shaped projections or teeth .18 or other similar means eflective to puncture a sealing membrane preferably of transparent material, when two cans are joined one to the other. The bottom of the can or container 10 is sealed by a threaded plug 19 in the shape of a cup. This plug is formed with an annular depression or channel 29 in the bottom part 21 to accommodate the teeth 18 and a raised annular shoulder 22 to cooperate with the flanged part 16 of the bottom 13. A piece of sealing or gasket material 23 is cemented or otherwise secured to the flange part 16 for cooperation with the annular shoulder 22 to hermetically seal the bottom of the container. If desired a suitable expansion wrench or cross bar arrangement may be employed to facilitate insertion and removal of the plug 19.

The top part 12 of the can 10 is formed with a pair of concentric annular shoulders 24 and 26 separated by an annular depression 25. As will be shown, the shoulder 24 functions to seal the can while the depression 25 and shoulder 26 cooperate with the teeth 18 of another can to rupture a sealing diaphragm when two cans are joined.

The sealing diaphragm 27, preferably of transparent material, is illustrated above the cap 12. The top of the can is sealed by a pair of caps 28 and 29 spaced above the diaphragm 2-7 in FIGURE 1. The cap 28 is generally cylindrical having threads 28' and an inwardly extending reinforced flange 30*. This flange 38 cooperates with the diaphragm or membrane 27 and the annular shoulder 24 of the top 12 to seal the can as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2. The membrane27 is preferably made large enough in diameter to extend at least part way down between the top 12 and cap 28 to further improve the seal and avoid the need for close tolerances on the fabrication of the coacting parts. The membrane 27 is protected by an outer cap 29 having a plate 31 integrally formed with the side wall thereof and an annular shoulder 32. An annular seal 33 of any suitable material is disposed on the under side of the shoulder 32 and cooperates with the'outer surface of the flange 36 of the cap 28 to further seal the container. In this way an efiective, dependable seal is attained that will not be damaged in ordinary shipment. V

The container as described above may be made of metal, plastic or any other type of formable material that would be appropriate for the purpose intended. If desired the inner cap 28 and diaphragm 27 may be combined as a single unit and may be formed of a contractible plastic that will shrink as it ages and tighten about the top part 12 to form a moreperfect seal. In this case the protective cap 29 should have corresponding dimensions.

FIGURE 3 shows the interconnection of the container 10 of FIGURES 1 and 2 with a second container 10a of similar construction to effect intermixture of the contents. The container 19 is shown in an inverted position with the caps and and the diaphragm 27 in place to seal the end thereof. The plug 19 however has been removed to open the bottom of the'container. and expose the V shaped teeth 18.' The container 19a has its plug 19a inplace but its outer cap 29a has been removed to expose the diaphragm 27a and the cap 28a.

The outer diameter of the cap 28:: is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the female bottom part 13 so that two containers can be coupled by threadably engaging the cap 28a of one container with the bottom part 13 of another container. Here the cap 28a in place on the container 16a is shown engaged with the bottom part 13 of container 10. However inasmuch as the cap 28a and diaphragm 27a are in place on container 10a, the container remains sealed so that it can be safely inverted. As the two containers are coupled, the teeth 18 of container 10 enter the annular recess 25a in top 1211 of container 10a and in so doing sever the diaphragm 27a to effect communication between the two. containers. The diaphragm is completely severed by reason of the rotation of one container relative to the other. In addition the flange Silo of cap 28a seats against the seal 23 of container 10 to completely seal thecontainers one to the other. The assembled containers now form essentially a unitary container and may be shaken or vibrated in any desirable manner to completely intermix the contents of the cans. V

The combined containers may be opened for use by removing plug 19a or preferably inverted so that cap 29 may be removed presenting the diaphragm 27 which when clear and colorless permits inspection of the mixed contents while sealed. Further mixing may be indicated and cap 29 replaced until this is done. If mixture is satisfactory diaphragm 27 may be cut by hand or completely removed by removing ring 28 as well as diaphragm 27. If container is to be resealed ring 28 should be kept in place to receive cap 29. The cut diaphragm 27a which is insoluble in the contents of the containers may be ignored or fished out as desired.

A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 which differs from the previously described form of the invention in that the severalmembers are trictionally rather than threadably coupled. 'In

this embodiment the container 40 comprises a body part 41 and top and bottom members 42 and 43 respectively that may be coupled or sealed to the body by folded lap joints 44 and 45 shown in greatly enlarged form. The top member 42 includes an annular recess 46, an annular shoulder 47 concentric with the recess 46 and an inwardly extending horizontal flange 48 substantially in the plane of the recess 46. The flange 48 is relatively narrow and defines the central opening 49. This opening is sealed by an annular cap 51 of U shape cross section and a diaphragm 50 of plastic or other similar material. The dimensions of the cap 51 are of course coordinated with those of the top member 42 so that a tight pressure fit will be secured as illustrated in FIG- URE 5. A pressure seal is efiected by the cooperation of the rolled internal flange 53 of cap 51 with the diaphragm 5t and the flange 48 of the top member 42. Further sealing is attained by the extension of the diaphragm 50 between the shoulder 47 and the recess 54 of the cap 51. The exposed area of the diaphragm 59 is protected by the outer cap 52 having an annular recessed part 54' adapted to cooperate with the inner cap 51. The bottom 55 of cap 52 overlies the diaphragm 5t and has an annular curved recess 56 and gasket 57 which cooperate with the rolled flange 53 of cap 51 to further seal the container and prevent the deposition of dirt and dust on the diaphragm 50.

The bottom part 43 of the container 40 is provided with an annular recess 58 of U shaped section. The inner annular wall 59 of this recess is curved slightly inwardly at 61) and terminates in a plurality of V shaped projections or teeth 61 extending slightly beyond the bottom edge of the container body 41. The bottom is closed by a cap 62 having an annular shoulder 63 which cooperates with the gasket 64 and recess 53 to hermetically seal the container and a small depression 65 in the bottom 66 to accommodate the teeth 61. In order to facilitate stacking of cans or containers the bottom 43 and closure cap 62 may be recessed in the bottom of the body 41 or coordinated with the top cap 52 so that the cans rest one on the other.

FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which the container 49 can be coupled with a second container 46a to attain the ends of the invention. The container 40 is inverted and the bottom closure cap 62 is removed to expose the V-shaped projections 61. Next the second container 48:: with its top outer cap removed is inverted and the cap 51a is forced into recess 58 of the bottom 44. The projections 61 of the can 40 pass upwardly through the diaphragm 50a and in close proximity to the inner periphery of the flanges 53a and 48a between which the diaphragm 50a is held. This severs or ruptures the diaphragm to permit intermixture oi the contents of the containers and at the same time a complete seal between the containers is obtained. In order to facilitate removal of the caps 52 and 62 they may be provided with flanged parts 52' and 62 respectively, to receive a suitable prying tool such as a screwdriver or the like.

In certain cases it may be desirable to provide a modifled version of the container of FIG. 1 in order to prevent for instance, reuse of the container. Such a modification is shown in FIG. 7. Here the body 11 of the container is provided with a member 67 corresponding to the cap 28 of FIG. 1 that is permanently secured to the body as indicated at 68. Within the cap 67 is a closure cap 69 which corresponds substantially with the top 12 of FIG. l. -A diaphragm 70 is secured between the threaded members or caps 67 and 69 to seal the can. The diaphragm is protected by an outer cap 71 and seal 72 corresponding to the cap 29 and seal 32 of FIG. 1. The ring 69 and diaphragm 70 must be installed before member 67 is sealed to body 11 or before the bottom 13 of the container is secured in place, thereby making it impossible to reuse the container once the diaphragm 70 is broken.

A further modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 8 wherein the top and bottom elements are in efiect reversed. In this form of the invention the body 11 of the container 13R has a top part 73 secured to the body as shown at 74 and provided with upwardly extending V-shaped projections 75. This end or" the container is closed by an encompassing cap 76 threadably attached to the top part 73 which may be provided with a recess 77 to receive the projections 75. If desired a gasket of suitable size and shape may be inserted between the top 73 and cap 76 to further seal the container. The bottom of the modfied container of FIG. 8 corresponds generally with the top of the form shown in FIG. 1 and includes a female threaded member 78 secured about the periphery to the body 11. This female member terminates Within the body 11 in an annular recess 79 to receive projections 75 of a second container that may be coupled thereto. The opening 89 defined by the recessed part 79 is closed and sealed by a ring 81 and diaphragm 82 with the diaphragm extending at least partially between the cooperating threads on the two members. The diaphragm is protected by a plug 83 threadahly engaging the ring 82 and having a base part 84 lying flatly against the diaphragm 32. With this arrangement the containers to be coupled need not be inverted as the top cap 76 or" one container is removed along with the bottom plug 83 of a second container. The two containers are then screwed together to rupture the diaphragm 82 and seal the two cans one to the other.

If desired the elements 78, 81 and 83 of the bottom of the container of FIGURE 8 may be interposed as shown in FIGURE 9. In this form of the invention the ring 81" is permanently secured to the body 3.1 of container 10R as in the case of the bottom part 78 of FIGURE 8. The diaphragm 82 is clamped in place by the cap 78' before member 81 is sealed to body 11. Then the bot tom is completely closed by the plug 83 which is identical to the plug 83 or" FIGURE 8. The embodiment of this figure along with that of FIGURE 7 also prevents disassembly beyond what is necessary to connect container, as well as accidental removal of the diaphragm holding cap or plug and thus avoids accidental spilling of the contents of a container when two are to be connected.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 10 and employs friction type closure parts. The top of the body 85 is closed by an annular top member 86 secured at 87 to the body 85. This member has a curved annular recess 88 terminating in a flanged part 89 which defines the central opening 90. Opening 90 is in turn closed by an annular cap 91 and diaphragm 92 with the diaphragm being held between the annular shoulder 93 of cap 91 and the recessed part 88 of the member 86 as well as between the cooperating flanges 89 and 94. The diaphragm is protected by an outer cap 95 having an annular recess 96 engaging the inner surface or" shoulder 93. This outer cap is sealed to the cap 91 by a gasket 97 contained within the annular recess 98 and cooperating with the flange 94 of cap 91.

The bottom 99 and cooperating elements are formed somewhat similarly to the top closure and is adapted to cooperate with the top of another container to efiect the desired coupling feature. Member 99 is permanently secured about its periphery to the wall 85 as shown at 100 and has a pair of annular recesses 191 and 182 and an intervening shoulder 163. The inner peripheral wall or" the recess 102 extends downwardly and is formed in V shape projections 1&4 surrounding the central opening 105. A protective cap 106 is used to cover the projections 184. This cap has an annular recess 107 to cooperate with and tightly fit the shoulder 103, and annular shoulder 188 cooperating with the recess 102 of member 99 and gasket 1&9 to effect a seal and an inner shoulder 110 adapted to surround, at least partially, the projec.

tions 104. The opening is finally closed by the outer cap 111 which includes a peripheral recess 112 for engasket 135.

gaging the shoulder 197 of cap 106 and an inner annular recess 113 that cooperates with a gasket 114 and the part 110 of cap 166 to hermetically seal this end of the container. Two containers of this form may be secured together by removing the top cap 95 of one container and the bottom caps 1% and 111 of a second container in an inverted position. The two can then be forced together to seal one to the other and simultaneously sever the intervening diaphragm. The combined containers can be opened for use of either end. Member 111 above need be removed from its end leaving member 1% to cover the projections 154. If the other end of the combined containers is to be used, member 95 is removed and the diaphragm 92 cut by hand or removed entirely by removing its retaining ring 91.

FIGURE 11 shows a still further modification of the invention wherein both the top and bottom closure parts are identical. In this, figure therefore like numbers have been used to denote like components of the top and bottom closures and only the top closure will be described. The container is generally denoted by the numeral 115 and has a body 116. The ends of the body are each fitted with an outwardly extending cylindrical member 117 permanently fastened to the body at 118 and terminating in a double inverted end part to form an annular shoulder 119 and recess 12%, the latter defining the central opening 121. The opening 121 is closed by a diaphragm 122 held in place by a surrounding threaded collar 125 having a rolled top edge 124. This top edge wedges the diaphragm 122 between it and the shoulder 119 to seal the container. The diaphragm 122 is protected by a threaded outer cap 125 which engages the collar 123 and includes an annular recess 126 and'gasket 127 for cooperation with the rolled end 124 of collars 123. This arrangement insures an efiective seal as well as aifording mechanical protection for the diaphragm.

Two containers as shown in FIGURE 11 may be coupled by means of a cooperating coupling unit illustrated in FIGURE 12. This coupler comprises a body 128 and a pair of identical threaded inserts or caps 129 and 130 placed back to backwithin the body 128 and permanently secured thereto by lap joints 131 and 132.

Each insert is reversely formed at its inner end to form a plurality of V shaped projections 133 and an annular recessed part 134 containing a sealing compound or These recessed parts meet and are preferably though not necessarily sealed along the line 136. To join two containers 115 by means of this coupler 123, an end cap 125 is removed from each container to expose the diaphragm 122. The containers are threadably .inserted into each side of the coupling whereupon the two sets of projections 133 function to rupture and completely sever their respective diaphragms. This procedure is illustrated in FIGURE 13 which shows two containers 115 and 115a connected by the coupler 128. In this View, the diaphragms 122 and 122a have adready been severed by the projections 133 and the two containers are sealed one to the other to form a single unit. The container 115 is illustrated herein with the cap 125 removed from the top or outer end thereof and the diaphragm 122 has been severed by a knife or other instrument to gain access to the containers. A similar procedure is used in connection with each of the foregoingembodiments of the invention if the diaphragm side of the container is to be opened. 1

While in the case of large cans or containers such as 115 of FIGURE 11, a body part 116 is interposed between the threaded end parts 117, in the case of smaller cans the body may consist-of a cylindrical threaded member 137 which performs the same function as the end parts 117 of FIGURE 11. A coupler identical to that shown in FIGURE 12 may be used to join the smaller container structure of FIGURE 14. e The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE is along the lines of the embodiment of FIGURE 11 except that it uses a friction type closure. This structure is generally denoted by the numeral 138 and consists of a body 139 and end parts 140 that are identical one to the other. These end parts are secured to the body at 141 and each is provided with an annular recess .142 and a reversely formed shoulder 143 defining a central opening 144. The openings 144 are closed by diaphragms 14:5 and annular collars 146 of U shaped sections adapted to cooperate with the recesses 142. A good seal is insured by providing the collars 146 with an inwardly extending rolled-edge flange 147 which functions with the shoulder 143 to wedge the diaphragm therebetween. The exposed area of each diaphragm is protected by an outer cap 148 formed with a central part 149 adapted to lie flat against the diaphragm and a-shoulder part 15%} for fractionally engaging the collar 146. The collar 146 and cap 148 are each provided with outwardly extending flanges 151 and 152 respectively so that a wedging tool can be inserted between them to remove cap 148 without disturbing the collar 146.

A pair of containers 138 may be coupled by means of a coupler 153 as shown in FIGURE 16. This coupler comprises two substantially identical parts 154 and 155 secured back to back along a central peripheral line and denoted by the numeral 156. Each of these parts include an annular shoulder 157 and a set of concentric projections 15% for rupturing the diaphraglns 145. To connect two containers, thecover 148 is removed from one end of each container .138 to expose the diaphragms. The coupler 153 is theninterposedbetween the ends of the containers and they are then wedged together. This action seals the containers one to the other and simultaneously causes the projections 158 to rupture and sever their respective diaphragms to permit contents to become intermixed. This procedureis shown more clearly in FIGURE 17 wherein the joined containers are denoted by the numerals 138 138a. The coupler 153 between the containers has sealed them together and ruptured the diaphragms 145 and 145a. After the contents have been thoroughly intermixed, the containers can be opened by removing one end cap 145 as indicated onthe top side of container 138 ofFIGURE l7 and then severing the diaphragm 145 inany suitable manner.

' The embodiments of the invention shown in FIGURES 18 to 22 inclusive illustrate its application to containers wherein one end thereof is closed in a manner similar to conventional paint cans. FIGURE 18, for instance, shows a container of the type illustrated in FIGURE 11 coupled to a cam 160 having a cylindrical wall 161, a fixed bottom 162 and a threaded ring 163 secured to the body 161 by a suitable folded lap joint 164. The ring 163 would be normally fitted with a closure cap such as a cap125 of FIGURE 11 to seal the can. A structure of this type may be coupled to the container 115 by a coupler such as coupler 128 previously described and shown in FIGURE 12 of thedrawings.v FIGURE 19 is along the lines of FIGURE 18 but shows the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 coupled to the can 16'!) by the coupler 128 of FIGURE 12. The embodiment of FIGURE 20 demonstrates the manner in which the container of FIGURE 8 may be directly coupled to the can 169 without the use of a separate coupler. In this case a cutter ring 165 having cutting means 166 about its outer peripheral edge is threadably attached to the ring part 163 of can 161). The cap 83 of container 10R (see FIGURE 8) is then removed and the two containers are joined by threadably engaging the ring 165 with the ring 81 of container 10R.

In certain instances it may be desirable to provide a diaphragm closure for can 160 along the lines discussed in connection with prior figures. In this case 2. diaphragm retaining ring 167 and diaphragm 168 may be installed on the ring 163 as illustrated in FIGURE 21 to close the open end. With this arrangement the can 160 may be coupled with a container such as that shown in FIGURE 8 with the aid of a simple coupling means 169. This coupler merely comprises a cylindrical body 170 and internal threaded members 171 and 172 fastened to the ends of the body and extending inwardly thereof. If desired, this coupler may be further simplified by eliminating the body 170 and forming the threaded parts 171 and 172 in one piece and of sufliciently heavy gauge metal to provide firm support to the containers being coupled. The container 10R with the cap 76 removed is threaded into one end of the coupler while the can 160 is threaded into the other end. Severing of the diaphragm 168 is accomplished by the cutting means 75 of the container 10?. thus avoiding the need for cutting means in the coupler itself. The can 160 with its dia phragm 168 and diaphragm retaining ring 167 may also be coupled directly to the form of the invention shown n FIGURE 1, merely by inverting the container 10 and removing the sealing plug 19. This procedure is illustrated in FIGURE 22 and in this can the cutting means 18 of container 10 functions to sever the diaphragm 168.

This invention is a division of my United States Patent No. 2,897,994, filed August 12, 1953, entitled Cooperating Container.

As pointed out above these containers may be fabricated of any suitable material and in any desired form. The diaphragms are secured to the container body in any suitable manner so that they are readily removable by cutting or disengagement when coupling two containers with the aid of an intermediate coupling device having appropriate diaphragm removing, cutting or disengaging means. In addition fastening means other than the screw or friction types for securing two or more containers together may be employed as, for instance, a bayonet fastening structure, embodying two or more pins and cooperating slots. Still other changes, modifications and alterations of the illustrated embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a container and cooperating coupling means, said container having a double openended hollow body, connector means including a central passage on at least one end of said body, a rupturable diaphragm closing said passage, said connector having the size and configuration of connectors on other similar containers, and said coupling means detachably secured to said connector and having detachable securing means for attachment to a connector of another similar container to join said containers one to the other, said coupling means including diaphragm rupturing means so positioned as to rupture the diaphragm of the first said container as the container and coupling means are joined one to the other.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said connector means further includes a diaphragm attaching ring engaging said connector means and securing said diaphragm thereto to close said passage.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said connector means further includes an annular recess surrounding said connector means and a cap having an annular shoulder frictionally engaging said annular recess to protect said diaphragm.

4. The combination of a container and cooperating coupling means, said container having a double openended hollow body, connector means including a central passage on each end of said body, rupturable diaphragms closing said passages, said connectors having the size and configuration of connectors on other similar containers and said coupling means detachably secured to at least one of the first said connectors and having detachable 10 securing means for attachment to a connector of another similar container to join said containers one to the other, said coupling means including diaphragm rupturing means so positioned as to rupture the diaphragm on said one connector as the first said container and coupling means are joined one to the other.

5. The combination of a container and cooperating coupling means, said container having a double openended body, male connector means on at least one end of said body and extending therefrom, said connecting means including a central passage, a rupturable diaphragm closing said passage, said connector having the size and configuration of male connectors on other similar containers, and said coupling means detachably secured to said container and having detachable securing means for attachment to a connector of another similar container to join said containers one to the other, said coupling means including diaphragm rupturing means so positioned as to rupture the diaphragm of the first said container as the container and coupling means are joined one to the other.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said male connectors are threaded and wherein said coupling means threadably engages said male connector.

7. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said connector means and coupling means are frictionally engaged.

8. A coupler for connecting containers each having at least one opening closed by a readily removable diaphragm comprising a tubular member having a transverse wall intermediate the ends thereof, said wall including a central opening, means adjoining the ends of said tubular member for detachably and sealably securing the coupler to containers to be connected, and means on each side of and adjoining the edge of the central opening in said transverse wall for eiiecting removal of the diaphragms carried by said containers being connected and opening the containers one into the other.

9. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein said means adjoining the ends of said tubular member constitutes threads on at least the inner surface of said tubular member.

10. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein said means adjoining the ends of said tubular member frictionally engage the containers to be connected.

11. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein said transverse wall includes an annular seal on each side thereof surrounding the associated diaphragm removing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 475,231 Anderson May 17, 1892 616,740 Sloan et al. Dec. 27, 1898 799,821 Young Sept. 19, 1905 853,497 Carnes May 14, 1907 941,303 Borden Nov. 23, 1909 1,031,867 Peebles July 9, 1912 1,731,847 Eckart Oct. 15, 1929 1,779,132 Kelling Oct. 21, 1930 2,084,973 John June 22, 1937 2,091,877 ONeil Aug. 31, 1937 2,489,620 Cartwright Nov. 29, 1949 2,528,530 Machleder Nov. 7, 1950 2,782,913 Devick Feb. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 303,806 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1930 786,947 France June 24, 1935 803,118 France June 29, 1936 Germany Jan. 15, 1953 

